Preparing for Childbirth

Show notes:

Today's show has a devotional focus – nothing specifically to do with pregnancy other than an aid for you as you seek to care more intentionally for your soul during this special time. I talk about 2 Peter 1:1-2 where we see that faith doesn't come from our own superpowers of believing but from Jesus' righteousness. And I talk about what that word, "righteousness," means. This passage goes on to point us towards the secret of finding peace – which can sometimes seem scarce with a little one on the way or in the house.  It has to do with knowing Jesus and I talk about some creative ways to find time for Him after baby comes and seems to take up all your time. One way I didn't mention, but which is important, is to let Daddy or Grandma or a trusted friend hang out with baby while you spend time with the Lord (& maybe take a shower, too. 😉)

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments at [email protected].

Show Notes:

Things to think about when choosing a care provider:

·       What birthplace do you prefer: hospital, in-hospital birth center, free standing birth center, home?

·       Mid-wife led care vs. physician led care

·       What is available in your area?

·       What fits your preferences and needs?

·       What if your options are limited?

Links to articles with questions to ask a potential care provider:

·       https://www.insidermom.com/top-questions-ask-care-provider-birth/

·       https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Newly-Pregnant-Vital-Questions-to-Ask-a-Potential-OB-or-Midwife

·       https://pcnguide.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/questions-birthplaces.pdf

Resources:

Lothian, J., DeVries, C., & Lamaze International. (2010). The Official Lamaze Guide. Amsterdam University Press.

Midwife-led continuity models of care compared with other models of care for women during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. (n.d.). Cochrane. https://www.cochrane.org/CD004667/PREG_midwife-led-continuity-models-care-compared-other-models-care-women-during-pregnancy-birth-and-early

Midwife-led units safest for straightforward births. (2014, December 3). NICE. https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/midwife-led-units-safest-for-straightforward-births

Simkin, P., Bolding, A., Keppler, A., Durham, J., & Whalley, J. (2010). Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn (4th Edition): The Complete Guide (4th ed.). Meadowbrook.

Souter, V., Nethery, E., Kopas, M. L., Wurz, H., Sitcov, K., & Caughey, A. B. (2019). Comparison of Midwifery and Obstetric Care in Low-Risk Hospital Births. Obstetrics &Amp; Gynecology, 134(5), 1056–1065. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000003521

Sutcliffe, K., Caird, J., Kavanagh, J., Rees, R., Oliver, K., Dickson, K., Woodman, J., Barnett-Paige, E., & Thomas, J. (2012). Comparing midwife-led and doctor-led maternity care: a systematic review of reviews. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(11), 2376–2386. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.05998.x

Ten Tips for Taking Charge of Your Maternity Care. (n.d.). http://www.childbirthconnection.org/maternity-care/ten-tips/

Terreri, C. L. (2018a, December 26). Choosing Your Care Provider - A New Lamaze Infographic Break Down. Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Choosing-Your-Care-Provider-A-New-Lamaze-Infographic-Break-Down

Terreri, C. L. (2018b, December 28). Care Provider Red Flags: Signs You May Not Be Getting the Best Care. Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Care-Provider-Red-Flags-Signs-You-May-Not-Be-Getting-the-Best-Care

Terreri, C. L. (2019, January 3). Finding the Right Health Care Provider and Birth Place. Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Finding-the-Right-Health-Care-Provider-and-Birth-Place

Show Notes:

In this show I talk about some of the differences between spontaneous labor and induced labor. We'll talk about some scenarios when labor induction is called for and some gray areas where you'll really need to think to make an informed decision. I also talk about the importance of making informed decisions for your unique circumstances and discuss using the BRAIN acronym to help with that.

List of resources:

FastStats. (n.d.). Births - Method of Delivery. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.htm

Labor Induction. (n.d.). ACOG. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/labor-induction

Lamaze International. (2009, October 8). Let Labor Begin On Its Own  (1 of 6) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LykV8YCwWIM

Lothian, J., DeVries, C., & Lamaze International. (2010). The Official Lamaze Guide. Amsterdam University Press.

Mozurkewich, E., Chilimigras, J., Koepke, E., Keeton, K., & King, V. (2009). Indications for induction of labour: a best-evidence review. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics &Amp; Gynaecology, 116(5), 626–636. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.02065.x

Robles, B., MD. (2022, March 31). Are You Being Induced? Here's How Long It Takes & What To Expect. Postpartum Trainer, MD. https://postpartumtrainer.com/induce-labor/

Simkin, P., Bolding, A., Keppler, A., Durham, J., & Whalley, J. (2010). Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn (4th Edition): The Complete Guide (4th ed.). Meadowbrook.

Show notes:

In the story of birth, Hormones play an important role in getting things going and keeping them regulated throughout the birthing process:

• Prostaglandins help soften the cervix.
• Oxytocin cranks up the contractions and calls in the endorphins. It also helps with milk let down after baby is born.
• Endorphins act as a natural pain reliever and regulate the contractions.
• Catecholamines are stress hormones that slow labor down early on then give a burst of energy needed to make it through the pushing stage. They also help baby take his first breath and be more alert during the first hour or so after birth.
• Prolactin helps produce milk.

Link to the "balloon video" talking about how contractions work.

Link to an excellent booklet with more information about how supporting your hormones leads to a healthy birth.

I used the following resources as I put this podcast together:

Buckley, S. J. (2015). Executive Summary of Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 24(3), 145–153. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.24.3.145

Your Amazing Placenta. (n.d.). https://www.lamaze.org/placenta-use

Lothian, J., DeVries, C., & Lamaze International. (2010). The Official Lamaze Guide. Amsterdam University Press.

Simkin, P., Bolding, A., Keppler, A., Durham, J., & Whalley, J. (2010). Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn (4th Edition): The Complete Guide (4th ed.). Meadowbrook.

Show notes

In this episode, I talk about the Gospel which is the good news of Jesus: how he always perfectly obeyed God, so he didn't deserve death. That means when he was falsely accused and killed on a cross, he was able to make a great exchange. He took upon himself in his death the penalty for all the sins of God's followers (past, present, and future) and he gives to those of us who believe his perfect record of obedience which brings reconciliation with God. And because Jesus conquered death and rose to life again, we too can have eternal life with Him. If you'd like to hear the Gospel presented another way, you can check out this video or this one.

Childbirth can be a beautiful picture of the gospel. However, we live in a fallen world and sometimes childbirth results in death. We grieve when this happens but as Christians, we can grieve with hope. In the podcast I share about my own experience of loss through miscarriage.

I wrap up the show with a few more thoughts on pain in childbirth and the importance of preparing.

Next week we'll take a look at God's design in the "story of birth."

Introducing the Preparing for Childbirth podcast where we'll talk about God's amazing design for childbirth, learn how to prepare for the unknown, handle the pain and lean into God's character through it all! In this first episode, I (Jenny) spend some time sharing a bit of my story about how I came to love childbirth. I also share about my own birth experiences and some of the steps that led me to this place of starting a podcast about preparing for childbirth. I hope you'll join me! And make sure to subscribe so you don't miss the coming episodes. :)

In this trailer Jenny tells you what to expect from the Preparing for Childbirth Podcast starting in January 2023. It will be a podcast for anyone expecting a baby but it will be especially geared towards Christian moms. It doesn't matter if you're planning to have an epidural as soon as possible or wanting a hypnobirthing home birth, this podcast will help you prepare for childbirth. Especially with a first baby, you don't know what you don't know. And sometimes fear can be paralyzing keeping you from doing things to prepare for the best experience possible or even if you want to prepare anxiety may prevent you from knowing where to start...